Window Layout: Cures for Cryptovision (continued)

When a screen has many fields, speed up keyboard navigation with "super-tab" jumps between groups. Make the groups obvious. White space makes grouping clear. At least 70% white space is best. If data is highly organized as in a table, you can get by with 30% white space. If you need to indicate columns more clearly, consider using a single vertical line between them. If you need to clarify the horizontal sections of your screen try to get by with a single horizontal line. If these approaches don't work, the final backup method is to use a frame or group box. The extra lines in the frame add some clutter, but can aid in determining the super-tab group. Standardize on the super-tab key for all your corporate applications. Note that OS/2 uses the regular Tab key as the super-tab and arrow keys for the regular tabs. This forces the user to reach over for the arrow keys to navigate within a group. This is especially awkward since navigation within groups (and to the next group) is far more common.

WRAPUP AND CONCLUSIONS How avoid "prosopagnosia" on your interface when your users stare at your creative layout oeuvre? Remember that you can test your screens for that moment of layout meaninglessness. We mentioned the protocol simulation test. Create a sequence of screens that contain a given task, and use print outs for starters. Find people with the job skills and system knowledge you expect your users will have. Then, working with one subject at a time, ask them to think out loud as they complete the work (or struggle with it). Don't chicken out and give them hints. Let them talk and experiment. See how they see the screen. Tell them how to move on when they've exhausted their patience. Get through the whole task, if you can. Then you can revise it based on those insights.

Another technique involves placing your layout handiwork on the wall. Put it up where potential users or other knowledgeable friends will see it. Put post-it paper nearby so they can stick comments on your work! You'll find out from your colleagues where the cryptovision hit them. Each of these techniques solves the problem of getting too close to your work. Objectivity is a precious commodity. We have to work for it.